First-generation college student award-winner at 曼彻斯特 realizes her dream in STEM field

曼彻斯特 University’s 2020 Realizing the Dream recipient is Heather Binion, a sophomore with a double major in chemistry and engineering science. She is the first in her family to attend college.

Binion wants to be a good role model for her younger relatives and works hard to demonstrate that women are capable of anything they put their minds to, including being in a STEM field. STEM, of course, stands for science, technology, engineering and math.

Binion has wanted to be an engineer since she was 11 years old and learned how much she enjoyed chemistry from her high school chemistry class back in Lebanon, 印第安纳州.

The Realizing the Dream scholarship is provided for 30 first-generation college students from 印第安纳州iana’s private, nonprofit colleges and universities by the 印第安纳州ependent 大学 of 印第安纳州iana. It is funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. They were chosen by their colleges for outstanding achievement in their first year. 

Binion ranked second in her high school class at Lebanon Senior High School. At 曼彻斯特, she has a 4.0 GPA and is involved in the American Chemical Society, Society of Physics Students and Advocates of the Mind.

She works as a Spartan Ambassador, giving tours to prospective 曼彻斯特 students, and she is a physics peer tutor. Her volunteer service includes the annual Walk Into My Future event at MU that introduces elementary school students to the college environment, donating blood and helping with the U Can Crush Hunger campaign for the region’s food pantries.

After 曼彻斯特, she plans to finish her engineering degree at an engineering school and then attend graduate school.

Binion loves college and appreciates her education. “Every day in college makes me mature, teaches me life skills, and will one day help me fully transition into adult life,”她说。. “I am grateful for this opportunity, and I will continue to work hard to make myself, 我的朋友们, and my family proud.”

Each honored student in Realizing the Dream received $3,000 to help with college costs, and each student’s selected “most influential” teacher received a $1,000 professional development grant. Binion selected Alan Conrad from Lebanon Middle School.

对于媒体来说

If you would like to interview Heather, please contact Anne Gregory at aggregory@曼彻斯特.edu.

More about the sciences at 曼彻斯特

Press release prepared by Jennifer Wagner, student assistant in the Office of Strategic Communications.

曼彻斯特 University, with campuses in North 曼彻斯特 and 韦恩堡, 印第安纳州., provides vibrant and transformative student experiences. 欲知详情，请浏览 www.曼彻斯特.edu/about-Manchester.

Our mission: 曼彻斯特 University respects the infinite worth of every individual and graduates persons of ability and conviction who draw upon their education and faith to lead principled, 富有成效的, and compassionate lives that improve the human condition.

2020年12月